In October, the UK government published its review of the country’s gaming machine stakes and prizes, supporting an increase in levels for some categories while also maintaining the status quo for others.
IN news that will have no doubt been welcomed by large sections of the amusement machine industry in the UK, the government announced in October that it supports an increase of the prize limit for Category C gaming machines to £100.
It stopped short, however, of cracking down on fixed odds betting terminals, whose stakes and prizes are to remain the same.
In its response to the consultation on stakes and prizes, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that evidence suggests that while the 2009 stake and prizes increase “provided some respite to the industry,” the benefits of an additional increase from £70 would “help support various sectors through continuing difficult economic conditions.”
The government said it considers the difference in prize limit of Category B and C machines is still “sufficiently wide” after any rise to maintain a “distinct appeal.”
However, in its response it noted concerns that much of the Cat C market is found in pubs, which is not licensed by the Gambling Commission.
Read the full article in the December issue of InterGame.
